Zelenskyy Visits World Economic Forum to Garner Support

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Facts

• Speaking at the World Economic Forum conference in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, 'embodies war.' He also claimed to have received 'positive signals' from the EU regarding financial support, adding that he hopes the US will also pledge further assistance in the coming weeks.¹
• Zelenskyy also held a 'CEOs for Ukraine meeting,' where he announced his country's GDP exceeded 5% last year, touted Kyiv's defense of the Black Sea, and increased grain production. The meeting included European Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and US Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker, among others.²
• Zelenskyy also met with bankers and investors, including JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and Philipp Hildebrand of BlackRock. JPMorgan and BlackRock are serving as Ukraine's financial advisors as it attempts to obtain investments, though the industry has invested little as the war continues.³
• In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui on Tuesday, where Lavrov said he appreciates Pyongyang's 'support of Russia's position, including on matters related to our special military operation in Ukraine.' Ukrainian allies, including the US, have accused Moscow of using North Korean weapons against Ukraine.⁴
• At Davos, Zelenskyy called on the West to help it become superior to Russia in terms of air warfare similar to how Kyiv 'gained superiority in the Black Sea.' Meanwhile, Putin said it would be 'impossible' for Ukraine to strip Russia of the gains it has made in war. He also rejected the possibility of peace talks, accusing Kyiv of using 'prohibitive formulas for the peace process.'⁵
• This comes as Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas reportedly said that NATO has three to five years to prepare for a conflict with Russia in the bloc's east. She argued that the potential for direct Russia-NATO military conflict highlights the need for the bloc to remain united in supporting Ukraine.⁶

Sources: ¹Guardian, ²President, ³FOX News, ⁴The Moscow Times, ⁵Al Jazeera and ⁶Euromaidan Press.

Narratives

• Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. The Davos consensus on Ukraine should be the world's consensus — Kyiv is absolutely capable of deterring and defeating Moscow so long as its Western allies continue their financial support. This can't just be verbal or metaphorical support either, but rather concrete and predictable finance and weapons distribution to the frontlines until Putin finally concedes his inevitable defeat.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by RT International. Russian officials didn't have to attend the Davos summit to understand the absurdity of its intentions. Dozens of national security advisors flew to Switzerland to hear Zelenskyy call for a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and subsequent trials for war crimes — propositions even the most pro-Ukraine countries know are not going to happen. What will happen is Ukraine will continue to lose on the battlefield as its allies in the West grow more weary of supporting this war.

Predictions